PATRICK VIEIRA became the NINTH manager sacked from the Premier League with his exit from Crystal Palace confirmed.

And Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou has been linked with ALMOST as many jobs in the English top flight this term.

The Eagles' dramatic fall in form saw them fail to win a single game in 2023 - and Selhurst Park officials acted on the Arsenal legend.

Even his stature as one of the Premier League's greatest ever midfielders couldn't save his job.

Now they're on the look-out for a new boss and inevitably the Celtic boss' success in Scotland has seen his named linked early on in their search.

Postecoglou has already been targeted by Southampton and Leeds following their dugout changes this term.

He was also heavily linked with Everton when Frank Lampard was dismissed.

The target talk was branded a "nuisance" for the Hoops boss by Parkhead legend Kenny Dalglish.

But that hasn't stopped them.

He recently dismissed links with Tottenham and is now quoted amongst the front-runners to replace Vieira in south London.

And he is joined by a very familiar face with Scottish links.

Postecoglou is NECK AND NECK with former Old Firm rival Steven Gerrard according to one bookmaker.

Boylesports make the pair 10/1 chances to succeed the French World Cup winner at Selhurst Park.

It's a wide-open race just minutes since the announcement - but talkSPORT host Ally McCoist believes the club wouldn't have acted without a succession plan.

In a widely varying market there are FOUR favourites for the post with different bookmakers.

Coral rate Michael Carrick 4/1 for the job, while Roy Hodgson is 20/1. However the ex-England boss is 2/1 and 3/1 favourite with Skybet and BetVictor to return to the club.

Sacked Southampton boss Ralph Hassenhuttl is Boylesports' early favourite at 5/1.

He's 13/2 with bet365 - joint favourite with Nuno Espirito Santo.

Gerrard is widely priced at 10/1 though he's DOUBLE that price with skybet while Postecoglou is also 10/1 with bet365 and Boylesports, but best priced 14/1 on skybet and BetVictor.

When asked about recent links with replacing Antonio Conte at Spurs earlier this month, Postecoglou gave exit talk the brush off.

He said: "It's not of interest to me.

"I don't wake up and get an early briefing on the latest gossip. The rest of it doesn't mean anything to me.

"It doesn't affect me or the people around me."

Gerrard has recently been linked with a return to management - with suggestions he could make a move to Turkey with Trabzonspor but international management has also been touted with Poland talks and links to a summer switch to England's under-21s.